I hear people talking about wanting a kite with loads of grunt but what if you are wanting a non grunty kite for freeride what would peoples recommendations be and do such kites exist?
Ozone Catalyst 2011.
Go a metre bigger in size than you expect to need.
They are a very smooth and well behaved kite but definately not grunty and overpowering.
You need to fly and move the kite around to generate oomf so well suited to beginners wanting to get up and plane with minimum fuss.
I think the Naish Cults are non grunty... Not sure if the more recent Bolts fit that category. I've found the kite user friendly enabling me to concentrate on the waves. Input on the bar is responsive but not unduly sensitive giving room for error if necessary. The kites are well made and long lasting. The only real downside is the 'octopus' one pump system, if it happens to go wrong!
I made the shift from grunty kites (switchblades - which I still rate as good kites) to non-grunty kites (Ozone C4s) nearly a year ago and haven't looked back. There was an initial adjustment period in terms of the lighter bar pressure and positioning the kite differently in the window, but very soon I was getting more wind range with less effort and enjoying much more subtle responsiveness to edging and minimal bar movement. My kite flying skills have improved enormously.
As GF suggest, the Catalyst will provide a similar slippery, non-grunty feel and be a bit more versatile than the C4 if you want to explore some waves too.
Disclosure: Ozone team rider.
Disclosure disclosure: I'd happily buy my C4s even if I wasn't sponsored.
Disclosure:
No sponsorship and I ride 'different' stuff and gumby gear just for the fun of it.
Had a 10m 2011 Catalyst and it wasn't my cup of tea but doesn't mean it's not going to suit others nicely.
I just LOOOOVE grunt..[}:)] Same goes for my ladies.. (er did I type that out loud??
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Dont know what the availability is in Aus yet but i have just spent 6 hours on the new 9m Peter Lynn Escape and it rocks,it has one of the biggest windranges of any kite i have flown,well worth a demo if you can get your hands on one.
yeah. there are times for grunt and times when working to get power is suitable.
i also ride the C4 and love it. you need to work its arse off if you want to extract the goodies.
on days i feel like taming raw unrelelnting train like power i reach for the 15m speed in 18-20 knots.... you really know your holding insane power with that kite.
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I have just received in the mail a pair of Peter Alexander Pyjamas and they don't appear to water relaunch either.
I have been riding a BEST Kahoona V3 (2011) 11.5m this season and found it has improved my riding no end. It's super easy to use and relaunch is automatic.
Things I don't like.
Boosts ok but not real lofty
Canopy isn't as rigid as other kites as it dosent have many struts.
No one pump (don't mind really)
Cheers
Kitch
I'm no shredder and just like to get on the vater and free ride (if I said I ride like a girl, it woul be an insult to most girls )
I recenetly bought a delta kite (Bandit DOS) and after flying that and going back to my Airush Vapor (much more "c" shaped) it seemed like the vapor was smoother and dampened the gusts more, therefoe less "grunty" in my book.
So ,is a general rule of thumb that more "C" shaped kites are less "grunty" ??
Thanks for all the serious responses, I will check out what each of you have mentioned. 
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thanks for that Paradox,
I' keen to try the Varial X and the Vapour X to compare.
The ozone catalyst is a very smooth and light kite to fly and defiantly not grunty. I love the catalyst even though I ride C4's (I love them too ). My husband used them last year in the waves before he changed to the ozone reo.
i'd go for a C4. little bit more gruntier than a catalyst no much though, i switched from catalyst to C4 for this exact reason. liked not getting the crap pulled out of me, but sometimes found myself working my ass off. i think the C4 is the perfect balance between too much and not enough grunt
i felt the need to state the abvious.
if you want a non grunty kite. take it out in the low end of its wind range.
take my 10m c4. i'm looping it like a maniac in 16-18 knots and its a docile easy to fly non grunty kite. turn up the wind 10 knots and its a heathen boosting me into the stratosphere.
I think the grunt of the kite determines where it sits in the window, deeper in the window more grunt, at the edge less grunt.
Therefore low aspect kites sit deeper and high aspect kites sits at the edge without surging forward.
I reckon medium aspect kites are the go as it gives you a happy medium, have you not noticed that the newer kites are going back to being more medium than low aspect - its going full circle.
I personally prefer kites with wider tips, medium aspect that you can tunr to generate power and stop working the kite to turn off the power. the kite must be balanced nicely to slack line it and drift.
Have at look at kites like the C4, Park, Fluid Ego, Switch Element and even the Religion and REO especially if you into surfing.
Cheers
Rich
Definitely try out the Airush Varial X if you have a chance.
Its a bit more playful and loftier in the jumps!
@Aquaplow, the one sits furtherest back in the window so its definitely a bit of a grunty.
One ---------- Lithium ---------- Varial X ---------- Razor
Center of Window -->------------------------<--Edge of the Window
